A Day Full of History

Enjoy İzmir After a Business Trip

If you came to İzmir for business, you can enjoy this magnificent city by extending your trip even for one day.

Even if your time in İzmir is limited, there are countless joyful activities in the city. Since some of these activities are in the city center and some in the surrounding districts, you may have to decide on only one option. Whatever your preference is, we are sure that you will want to return to İzmir for a longer vacation at the first opportunity.

A day full of sea, sand, and sun

If you’d like to spend your extra day in the warm but not overwhelming waters of the Aegean, sunbathe by the sea and read your book to go back to work fresh on Monday morning, there are countless beaches in Izmir waiting for you.

When it comes to enjoying the sea, the most popular destination in İzmir is undoubtedly Çeşme. With its clear sea, warm sun, fine sands, boiling sulfurous healing waters within the sea, Çeşme has a total of 29 kilometers of coasts. More than 20 beaches including Şifne, Küçük Liman, Pırlanta, Paşa Limanı, Ilıca Beach, Çiftlik, Altınkum, Çatal Azmak, Sakızlı Bay, Tekke Beach, and Ayayorgi are waiting for you in Çeşme Peninsula.

Dikili, which is famous not only for its sea but also for its amazing sunset view, is another great alternative. If you want more options, you can check the beaches of Pamucak, Foça, Urla, Seferihisar, Menderes, Karaburun and Aliağa.

One day in the city center

If you’d like to spend your only day to get to know İzmir, see the most beautiful corners of the city, and taste the famous dishes instead of enjoying the sea, we have awesome suggestions for you as well.

The first place you must see in İzmir is Alsancak Kıbrıs Şehitleri (Cyprus Martyrs') Street. You can shop down the street, sit in cafes and bars. Then you can go to Kordon, which is just the parallel street by the sea, and take a walk to get some fresh air. You can also take a ferry and see Karşıyaka.

With its 500-year history, The Historical Kemeraltı Bazaar is a must-see and shopping spot in İzmir. Many shops such as coppersmiths, jewelers, handbag sellers are waiting for you in the bazaar. İzmir's oldest hotel Yeni Şükran, the National Library Building, and Izmir Opera and Ballet House are also in the neighborhood. Don't forget to take a Turkish coffee break at Kızlarağası Inn and then go see the historical Clock Tower.

If you’d like to see the two most beautiful city views in central Izmir, you need to go to the Historical Elevator in Karataş, and Teleferik (aerial cableway) in Balçova.

Don’t leave before tasting these foods

Do not forget to taste the most famous flavors of the city when you have the opportunity.

The two most famous foods to try in İzmir are kumru (a sandwich prepared by İzmir Tulum cheese, cheddar, tomato, pepper, sausage and salami in a special bread), and boyoz (a pastry made by baking round pieces of dough which consist of wheat flour, water, and salt). Kumrucu Ömür, Kumrucu Şevki, Kumrucu Ateş, Kumrucu Apo, and Historical Alsancak Bagel Oven are some of the places where you can taste the most delicious kumru. On the other hand, Alsancak Dostlar Bakery is one of the most famous places when it comes to boyoz.

Since you are at the capital of Aegean Cuisine, don’t forget to taste the vegetable dishes with olive oil. If it's spring, you can taste the freshest herbs of the region. Eggplant crunch, sweet tarhana, sinkonta (baked pumpkin) and fish soup are among the famous and healthy dishes of İzmir.

İzmir’s cuisine does not disappoint meat enthusiasts either. Famous meat dishes such as İzmir meatballs, Elbasan Tava, Tire kebab, Ödemiş kebab, and lok lok are mostly made from lamb meat.

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